Valve unit



April 18, 1939. M. A. GIBBONS VALVE UNIT Filed March 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l lzzzww q zoxgz? .s' l m! April 18, 1939. M. A. GIBBONS VALVE UN I T Filed March 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a valve unit for use in hydraulic or pneumatic pumps, tanks, pipe lines, etc. or in any instance where a flow of liquid or gaseous fluid is to be permitted in, one direction and checked against back flow in the opposite direction.

The valve unit disclosed in the present application constitutes an improvement over the valve unit disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 79,584, filed May 13, 1936.

The objects of the present invention correspond to those recited in the above noted copending application, with the additional object directed to further simplification of the structure to facilitate further the mounting and assembling of the valve unit in pump chambers and other places where restricted access to the valve chamber prevails.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the overall axial dimension of the valve unit to increase the valve lift and to enable the valve unit to be more readily assembled in places where the overhead valve clearance is extremely limited.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 depicts a longitudinal sectional elevation of a valve unit comprising improvements over the unit disclosed in the above mentioned copending application;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the base element of the valve unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of the movable valve element of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, depicting the preferred form of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of the base element of the valve unit shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detached perspective View of the movable valve element shown in Fig. 5;

Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Figs.- 6 and 7 respectively; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4 respectively.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts in the different forms of the invention shown in the drawings and where modifications are made to any of such parts in the form shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive over the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4, 10 and 11 such modified parts are noted by the subscript a.

In Figs. 1 and 5, the reference character I represents a rigid division wall between two chambers 2 and 3 such as are found in the head of a pump, or in a valve housing in a pipe line, etc. In some instances, the wall I may constitute a side, bottom or top wall of a tank or other receptacle through which it isdesired to control flow into or out of the receptacle or to relieve pressure within the tank or receptacle when it is of a closed type.

The Wall E is provided with a threaded opening 4, in the present instance, in which the valve unit of the present invention is adapted to be installed.

In the present case, the valve unit comprises a tapered externally threaded base element or ring 5 or 5a which is adapted to be screwed into the tapered threaded opening t of the wall I and to be drawn down sufliciently tight therein to form a fluid seal therebetween. One end or face of the ring or base element 5 or do. is provided with a valve seat 5 which may be finished in any usual manner, such as by grinding, etc.

Arranged to rest on the valve seat 6 is a movable valve element '5' or la. In the present instance, each of the movable valve elements I and la includes a substantially flat metallic main or backing disk 8 or Secured to the under side of the backing disk is a sealing disk or ring 9 which is composed of fibre or any of the other well known materials commonly used for such purposes. lhe disk or ring G may be secured to the inner surface of the main or backing disk in any suitable or well known manner, such for example as by water or acid-proof cement, screws, clamp rings, etc. In some instances, the sealing disk 9 may be dispensed with and the seal formed by grinding or otherwise finishing the underside of the main disk to provide a sealing contact between the disk and the seat 6.

Each of the base elements 5 and 5a is provided with a central portion or member indicated at If! in Fig. 1 and tea in Fig. 5 which is disposed in or in axial alignment with the ring 5 or 5a and its fluid port opening i i, i la. The central members l0 and Illa are supported by means of arms [2, i2 and 12a, l2u. respectively which are formed integral with the rings 5, 5a and central members i9, Illa and extend radially therebetween in a manner to provide for a substantially unobstructed flow through the port openings H, Ha. of the rings 5 and 5a respectively.

Each of the movable valve elements I and 1a includes a central portion or member l3, 13a which comprises an outwardly projecting hexagonal or other suitably shaped protuberance M, Ma which extends axially a suitable distance beyond the outer surface of the main or backing disk 8 or 8a to receive a suitable wrench or other tool by which the valve element 1 or la as the case may be is bodily rotated, for purposes hereinafter described.

The central portions or members l3 and I3a of the movable valve elements 'i and 1a respectively each includes an inwardly projecting protuberance 15 or Eta which extends from the opposite or inner surface of the backing disk, through an axial opening formed in the sealing disk 9.

In that form of the invention disclosed in Figs.

l to 4 inclusive, the central member III of the base element 5 is provided with an axially extending cavity I6, while in that form of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7, the central member I3a of the movable valve element la is provided with an axial cavity I6a. In each instance, one end of the axial cavity is open and provided with internal threads I1, I'Ia for'the reception of external threads 21 or 21a formed on an abutment ring I8 or I8a.

Each of the abutment rings I8 and I8a is splined to a stud I9, or I9a, whereby the abutment ring is permitted sliding movement longitudinally on and relative to said stud but is prevented from rotating relative to said stud. The splined connection, in the present instance, is formed by the stud being hexagonal in cross section and the abutment being provided with a stud-receiving opening of corresponding shape.

One end of the stud I8 or I9a, in each instance,

, projects into the axial cavity I6 or Ilia, as the case may be, and is provided at its projecting end with a relatively fixed abutment 20 or 20a.

When forcible closing of the valve is desired the stud I9 or IBa, between the abutments I8 and 20 or I8a and 28a, is provided with a spring 2I or 2 la which tends to move the two abutments apart for seating the sealing ring 9 firmly on the valve seat 6.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the stud I9, at its end opposite to that upon which the abutment 20 is formed, is reduced in diameter and threaded as indicated at 22, the threaded end 22 of said stud being screwed into a tapped opening formed in the central portion I3 of the movable valve element 1. The abutment ring I8, in this instance, is threaded into the threaded open end of the axial cavity I6 of the central member ID of the base element 5. In this instance, the spring 2|, acting against the abutment I8 and bearing against the abutment 20 of the stud I9, moves the stud I9 longitudinally through and relative to the ring I8 and thereby moves the movable valve element 1 until the sealing disk 9 is firmly seated on the valve seat 6 of the base element or ring 5.

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the reduced threaded end 22a of the stud I8a is screwed into a tapped opening formed in the central member Illa of the base element 5a. If desired, the stud may be held against removal by riveting or upsetting the end 23 of the reduced threaded portion 22a of the stud, to prevent the threaded portion 220 from backing out of the central member Illa of the base element 5. In this instance, the abutment la is threaded into the open end of the axial cavity I6a formed in the central member or portion I 3a of the movable valve element Ia. In this instance, the spring 2Ia acting against the abutment 28a and the abutment I8a moves the valve element Ia longitudinally of the stud I9a until the sealing disk 9 is seated on the valve seat 6.

It will be noted that, in each instance, the construction is such that no leakage from the chamber 3 to the chamber 2 or vice versa, around the stud I9, I9a is possible, as there is no possiraising the valve element I or Ia until the sealing disk 9 thereof is raised oil" the valve seat 6 of the base element or 5a.

The valve unit is adapted to be mounted and assembled in the opening 4 in the wall I in the following manner:

With the two elements 5, 5a and I, 1a of the valve unit separated, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 and in Figs. 6 and '7, the base element 5 or 5a is threaded into the tapped opening 4 of the wall I and tightened therein by means of a spanner wrench or other suitable tool fitting within the openings II, IIa of the element 5, 5a and engaging the arms I2, I2a o-r lugs I2b which latter, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, are formed on the ring 5 within the opening II and project a slight distance inwardly toward the central member I0.

It will be noted in that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive that the stud I9 with its fixed abutment thereon and with the movable abutment I8 and spring 2| between the said abutments is carried entirely by the movable valve element I. After the base element 5 is tightened, the movable valve element 1 is placed over the base element 5. The stud I9 enters the open end of the axial cavity I6 in the central member I0 of the base element 5. By rotating the valve element 1 bodily the external threads 21 on the abutment I8 engage with the internal threads H at the open end of the cavity I6. Continued rotation of the valve element 1 runs the abutment I8 down into the cavity I6. Final tightening of the abutment sleeve I8 is then eiTected by a suitable tool engaging with the protuberance I4 on said valve element. The

valve unit is then completely assembled and ready for operation as depicted in Fig. 1.

It will be noted upon referring to Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings that in that form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the stud I9a with its fixed abutment 20a, movable abutment sleeve I 8a and spring 2Ia therebetween are rigidly secured to the base element 5a, prior to the application of the element 5a to the threaded opening 4 in the wall I.

After the base element 5a is tightened, in the manner above noted, in the wall I, the movable valve element 1a is then placed over the base element 5a and the upper end of the stud I9a on which the fixed abut-ment 20a is mounted enters the open threaded end of the axial cavity I Go in the central member I3a of said valve element 1a. This brings the external threads 21a. of the movable abutment I8a into engagement with the threads I'Ia of the valve element Ia. Bodily rotation of the valve element Ia causes the abutment I8a to move into the cavity I6a compressing the spring 2Ia between abutments I80. and 20a. The abutment ring I8a is then jammed tightly in the open end of the cavity I6a by further rotation of the valve element Ia by means of a suitable tool applied to the protuberance I4a on the valve element la. The valve unit is then completely assembled ready for operation as indicated clearly in Fig. 5.

It will be noted that while both forms of the invention disclosed in the present application constitute an improvement over the valve unit disclosed in the above noted copending application, particularly from the viewpoint of assembling the valve unit after the base element has been secured in place in the wall I, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 andconstitutes a still further improvement over the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and is, therefore, considered to be the preferred form of the invention.

Figs. 8 and 9 show another way of assembling the valve unit of Fig. 5 after the base element Ed has been set in the wall 1. In this. instance, the stud i9a, spring Zia and abutment ring l8a are first assembled in the axial cavity 55a of the movable valve element la, with only the threaded end 2205 of the stud l9a protruding as in Fig. 9. The threaded end 22a of the stud We is then entered and screwed into the threaded opening 28a in the central member ifla of the base element 5a and subsequently tightened to hold the stud rigidly in the base element So by a wrench applied to the protuberance 14a of the movable element la.

Figs. 10 and 11 show another way of assembling the valve unit of Fig. 1 after the base element 5 has been tightened in the wall I. In this case, the stud l9, spring 2! and abutment l8 are assembled in the axial cavity 16 of the central member I!) of the base element 5 with only the threaded end 22 of the stud protruding as in Fig. 10. The threaded end 22 of the stud i9 is then entered and screwed into the threaded opening 28 in the central member l3 of the movable valve element 7 and subsequently tightened to hold the stud l9 rigidly in the valve element '5 by a wrench applied tothe protuberance M of the movable valve element 1.

In either case, the wrench applied to the protuberance M or Ma and turning the movable valve element 1 or 1a tightens the stud i9 or Na and ring l8 or |8a against accidental backing out of the threaded openings in which they are secured.

I claim:

1. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of said base element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in one of said central members and its opposite end projecting therefrom into an open end of an axial cavity formed in the other of said central members, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, and a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity.

2. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of said base element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in one of said central members and its opposite end projecting therefrom into an open end of an axial cavity formed in the other of said central members, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity, and a spring encircling said stud intermediate said abutments for seating said movable valve element on the seat of said base element.

3. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of said base element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in one of said central members and its opposite end projecting therefrom into an open end of an axial cavity formed in the other of said central members, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity, and said movable valve element being integrally closed over its entire area on the face thereof opposite to that which engages said valve seat.

4. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of saidbase element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in one of said central members and its opposite end projecting therefrom into an open end of an axial cavity formed in the other of said central members, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity, said movable valve element being integrally closed over its entire area on the face thereof opposite to that which engages said valve seat, and said closed face of said movable valve element being provided with means by which said movable valve element may be rotated bodily to effect securing of said movable abutment in said open end of said axial cavity.

5. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of said base element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in the central member of said base element and its opposite end projecting into an open end of an axial cavity formed in the central member of said movable valve element, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, and a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and. splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity in said movable valve element.

6. A valve unit comprising a base element provided with a fluid port, a valve seat surrounding said port, a central member axially disposed in said port and rigidly connected to said base element, a movable valve element arranged to engage said seat to close said port and including a central member axially aligned with the central member of said base element, a stud having one end rigidly secured in the central member of said movable valve element and its opposite end projecting into an open end of an axial cavity formed in said central member of said base element, a relatively fixed abutment on the projecting end of said stud, and a relatively movable abutment slidably mounted on and splined to said stud and threaded into said open end of said axial cavity in said base element.

MICHAEL A. GIBBONS. 

